Ella ○ Harry Potter

Twenty Four: Family Portrait

In their family portrait, they look happy.

::

"Hurry up Ella, Cedric," Amos Diggory called to the two teenagers, looking ridiculously preppy. "The Simpson's Tavern is my favorite place in London," he informed.

Cedric held Ella's hand as she followed Amos, and sighed. "Babe, listen. The place is nice, I think my dad only likes it so much because his father always took him here; it's really not that great."

"It's fine, babe," Ella grinned, kissing his hand gently. "I'm just happy your dad is so nice."

"You're the sweetest."

"I know," she grinned, and tugged at his hand so they finally caught up to Amos as he reached the tavern. It was wooden all over and seemed like it dated back at least a century, and Amos seemed to love the place.

They very easily and cheerfully sat down and ordered (Amos ordered them an opening dish of smoked salmon and bread, and then ordered for himself poached scottish salmon, Cedric ordered the mixed grill, and Ella went for a good old rump steak, and they all ordered chips, and afterwards agreed it's a sign they all had a particulary good taste), and comfortably fell into a nice chat.

"So you're Cedric's age but starting the fourth year now?"

"Yeah. Ced's saved me from getting kicked out of school, he's my hero," she flattered, and he rolled his eyes.

"Well, you saved Sirius Black, so you're a hero too," Cedric easily said back, making her roll her eyes.

"Oh, yes, I've read about it in the Daily Prophet," Amos noted. "Tell me your side of the story, I've heard Crouch tell Arthur Weasley about that, and that a girl was almost hurt by Pettigrew. Who was that?"

"That would be Ella," Cedric grinned. "Headbutted him and then kicked him," he squeezed her hand over the table, and Amos looked surprised.

"You've got some spunk, Ella!" he smiled. "So tell me, was it terrifying to be in the presence of a convicted murderer?"

"Oh," she started, taking a sip of water. "Well, I was with Professor Snape," she recounted. "So of course I wasn't too scared; He's the head of my house and all, and I trust him too much," she smiled. "But then we actually heard the tale, and I didn't know what was true, but I just didn't know what to do. I really didn't do anything, I just had the wolfsbane potion."

"Well, the night would probably end up on a different note without you," Amos pointed out, when the food arrived to their table. "Excuse me, I'll be back in a moment," he assured, and walked off towards the bathroom.

Cedric turned to look at Ella, and smiled. "Come on. Do your worst. Your opinion?"

"About the place?" she shrugged. "It's pretty nice, let me have a bite and I'll tell you about the food--"

"About my dad," he smiled.

"Oh, what is there to say?" she grinned. "He's charming, really. You know my family, you are quite literally living my dream." He smiled at her, and kissed her shortly. "What was that for?"

"For being you."

"Well, it isn't hard for me."

"I know, El. That's your charm."

::

When they arrived to the Diggory house, Ella was surprised. She knew that Cedric was an only child, so she didn't expect the big house. It was surrounded by a large garden, and it was three stories high.

"You didn't tell me your house was that big," she blurted out, still holding his hand tightly. Amos didn't have to go back to the office after their lunch, so he ended up making a portkey ("While I still can, from next week on it becomes big troubles with all the portkeys being set for the World Cup! Ella, are you going?") to go back to their small town, where they bought groceries to make their dinner and a cake for Sabrina's birthday, which was in two days ("why not at her actual birthday?" asked Cedric, and Ella smiled as she explained that's the whole surprise. Amos loved the idea).